#MaryWashDay kicks off at noon on March 25, 2026. Can't wait? Make your gift now.


Events

Don't miss the chance to multiply your impact, thanks to gift matching opportunities from some of our most generous donors. 

Rest assured that all applicable challenges/matches will be applied automatically to your Mary Wash Day gift.

Upcoming Events

Event
Share the Love for Mary Wash Challenge
When the Mary Wash Day 2026 video is shared 100 times (from the official University of Mary Washington Facebook page) by midnight on March 25, Steve and UMW Foundation Board Member Donna Sheehan Gladis '68 will unlock a gift of $10,000 supporting the Fund for Mary Washington.
$1,500
Alumni Kickstart Power Hour
It may be the afternoon, but Mary Wash Day is just getting started. If we receive 150 gifts from alumni in the first hour of Mary Wash Day, Kathy Vi ’04 will make a $1,500 gift to the Fund for Mary Washington. Alumni, let’s start this day strong by increasing your impact!
150 Gift Goal
Starts in
$50,000
1,908 Gift Challenge
When 1,908 gifts are made to any area during Mary Wash Day, a $50,000 gift from Ken and Jenny Fankhauser Osterman '73 will be unlocked in support of student scholarships!
1,908 Gift Goal
Starts in
$10,000
100 First-Time Donor Gift Challenge
When 100 gifts are received from first-time donors to UMW, Betty Olander Adams ’69 will unlock a $10,000 gift to the Fund for Mary Washington, increasing your impact. Mary Wash community, make your first-ever gift to Mary Washington today and help unlock an extra $10,000 of student support!
100 Gift Goal
Starts in
$47,500
400 First-Time Donor Gift Challenge
When we receive 400 gifts from first-time donors during Mary Wash Day, The UMW Foundation Board of Trustees will unlock a $48,000 gift to the Fund for Mary Washington. Make your first-ever gift to Mary Washington today and help unlock an extra $48,000 of student support!
400 Gift Goal
Starts in
Event
9th Mary Wash Day Celebration Challenge:
In honor of our 9th-annual Mary Wash Day, the person who makes the 9th, 90th, 900th, and 999th gift gets to choose an area of campus to receive an extra $250. This challenge is sponsored by Beth Craig ’77.
2
Match
1908 Society Match
If you graduated in 1975 or earlier, you are a member of Mary Washington's 1908 Society. For Mary Wash Day, long-time Fund for Mary Washington supporters Brenda Marable Shaw '71 and Sylvia McJilton Woodcock '61 are matching gifts from their fellow 1908 Society members to the Fund for Mary Washington, dollar for dollar, up to $20,000.
2
Match
70s Match
Attention alumni of the seventies! Lynda White ’71 and Karen Giannuzzi ’71 will match your gifts to the Fund for Mary Washington during Mary Wash Day. If you graduated between 1970 and 1979, your gift to the Fund for Mary Washington will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $7,500 total!
2
Match
90s Match
'90s alums, unite! If you graduated between 1990 and 1999, Cullen '90 and Rosemary Seltzer '91 will match your gift to the Fund for Mary Washington, dollar for dollar, up to $3,000 total.
Event
Young Alumni First-Time Donor Challenge
When we receive 55 gifts from young alumni (Classes of 2016-2025) who are making their first-ever gift to UMW, Matt ’19 and Sarah Good ’19 will unlock a gift of $1,500 to the Fund for Mary Washington. Graduates of the last decade, make your first-ever gift(s) to any area of your choice today and help unlock an extra $1,500 to support our students!
$11,000
Fund for Mary Washington Alumni Donor Challenge
When 200 gifts are made by alumni to the Fund for Mary Washington, Mary Louise Holmes '97 will unlock a $11,000 gift to the Fund for Mary Washington, increasing your impact!
200 Gift Goal
Starts in
$5,000
500-Gift Parent Challenge
Bill and Carolyn Carpenter, parents of a current student, are inviting you to help increase their impact! Bill and Carolyn will unlock a $5,000 gift to the Fund for Mary Washington when we receive 500 gifts from parents of current UMW students and parents of alumni. Support any area of the University and help meet our challenge!
500 Gift Goal
Starts in
2
Match
Faculty and Staff Match
Gifts from faculty and staff to the Fund for Mary Washington will be doubled! Jan Clarke, assistant vice president of gift planning emeritus, is matching gifts from current and retired UMW faculty and staff members, up to $1,250 total. Make your gift early to increase your impact before matching funds run out!
$2,026
Senior Class Challenge
Lee Murray '04, Rector of the Board of Visitors and Karli Murray ’05, would like to challenge the Class of 2026 to give back and pay it forward for future Eagles. When 35 seniors make a gift to any area during Mary Wash Day, Lee and Karli will unlock a gift of $2,026 to the Fund for Mary Washington. Seniors, make a gift today and increase your impact!
35 Donor Goal
Starts in
$3,000
Happy Hour Power Hours
Let's toast to Mary Washington! If we receive 250 gifts between 6 and 8 p.m. on March 25, Sylvia McJilton Woodcock '61 will unlock a $3,000 gift to the Fund for Mary Washington. Raise a glass to the University’s past, present, and future, and help unlock this bonus gift! Make your gift while raising a glass to Mary Wash!
250 Gift Goal
Starts in
$3,000
Early Eagle Power Hours
The early Eagle gets the worm! Sylvia McJilton Woodcock '61 is challenging the Mary Washington community to wake up and make a difference for students. If we receive 300 gifts between 6 and 9 a.m. on March 26, she will unlock a gift of $3,000 to the Fund for Mary Washington.
300 Gift Goal
Starts in
Event
Noon to 6 pm Ambassador Challenge
Calling all Mary Wash Day Ambassadors! Katie Turcotte, vice president for advancement and alumni engagement and UMW Foundation executive director, and Mike Walsh, vice president for student affairs want to increase your impact. When you get at least 2 others to make a gift using your unique referral link between noon and 6 PM on March 25, you will be entered into a drawing to win an additional $250 to an area of your choice! Share your ambassador link and increase your impact when we come #TogetherUMW!
Event
Midnight to 6 AM Ambassador Challenge
Calling all Mary Wash Day Ambassadors! Katie Turcotte, vice president for advancement and alumni engagement and UMW Foundation executive director, and Mike Walsh, vice president for student affairs want to increase your impact. When you get at least 2 others to make a gift using your unique referral link between midnight and 6 am on March 26, you will be entered into a drawing to win an additional $250 to an area of your choice! Share your ambassador link and increase your impact when we come #TogetherUMW!
$7,000
The College of Arts and Sciences Challenge
If 750 gifts are made to any College of Arts and Sciences program or department on Mary Wash Day—including the Beyond the Classroom Endowment—it will unlock a $7,000 gift from Bridget Binko ’74 to the Beyond the Classroom Endowment.
750 Gift Goal
Starts in
$10,000
Economics Challenge
When we reach $2,500 in donations to the Department of Economics, Colin E. Jennings ‘13 will unlock a $10,000 gift for an economics scholarship! Make your gift today to help us unlock these extra funds and student support! To designate your gift to the Econ Department and qualify for this challenge, choose “College of Business” as your Area of Support and “Economics” as your Fund Designation.
$2,500 Goal
Starts in
$9,500
The Gari Melchers Home and Studio Challenge
If 25 gifts are made to Gari Melchers Home and Studio for the Belmont Conservation Endowment during Mary Wash Day, Brian ’84 and Erma Baker ’82 will unlock a $9,500 gift in support of GMHS exhibitions, conservation, and public programs.
25 Gift Goal
Starts in
$25,000
Give2Theatre Challenge
When 350 donors give to UMW Theatre during Mary Wash Day, Everett M. Jr. and Kathleen M. Geno will unlock a $25,000 gift to UMW Theatre! Support UMW Theatre students with a gift today!
350 Gift Goal
Starts in
2
Match
James Monroe Museum Match
An anonymous donor will match all gifts made to the James Monroe Museum on Mary Wash Day, dollar for dollar, up to $2.500. Gifts will support the Museum’s educational programs for all ages. Increase your impact today!
$10,000
UMW Music Challenge
If we receive 20 gifts to Friends of Music during Mary Wash Day, Emerita of Music Dr. Martha V. Fickett will unlock a $10,000 gift to UMW Music.
20 Gift Goal
Starts in
2
Match
Political Science and International Affairs Match
Professor Emeritus Jack Kramer and his wife Mary Lou will match all gifts to the Political Science and International Affairs department during Mary Wash Day, up to $2,026. This is your chance to DOUBLE your impact! To qualify for this match, choose "College of Arts and Sciences" as your Area of Support and "Political Science and International Affairs Department" as your Fund Designation.
2
Match
UMW Nursing: Two Programs Twice the Opportunity
As we grow from one nursing program to two (BSN and MSN), Beth and Thomas Talisman ’86 will match every gift to UMW nursing, dollar for dollar, during Mary Wash Day, up to $2,000.
$3,000
Center for AI and the Liberal Arts Challenge
When 25 gifts are made to the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts during Mary Wash Day, Jennifer Dockeray Muniz '94 will unlock a $3,000 gift to support the Center. Increase your impact today and help inform how the liberal arts and AI can work together!
25 Gift Goal
Starts in
$1,500
The Simpson Library Challenge
When the Simpson Library receives 100 gifts of any size, Anne Robinson Hallerman '77 will unlock a $1,500 gift to support the Library!
100 Gift Goal
Starts in
2
Match
Shoot for 2 UMW Men's Basketball Match
Dan Dupras '03 will match every gift, dollar-for-dollar, up to $2,500 during Mary Wash Day. Shoot for 2 and double your impact for Friends of Men's Basketball.
2
Match
UMW ESports "Those Who Come After" Match
The UMW Esports team is a pioneering career-development platform for students. Help "those who come after" and increase the impact of your gift today! All gifts to UMW Esports will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $1,500. Match made possible by alumni Jay Sinha '07, Krishna Sinha '08, Tigran Iskanian '07, Hardian Muljadi '07, and Jack Lloyd ' 07.
$1,000
UMW Field Hockey Alumni Gift Challenge
When 10 alumni rally behind UMW Field Hockey with a gift during Mary Wash Day, Allison Graves with Coldwell Banker Elite will unlock a $1,000 gift in support of the team.
10 Donor Goal
Starts in
$2,000
Women's Rugby 30 Donor Challenge
30 gifts = $2,000 unlocked for Women’s Rugby! Once we hit 30 gifts during Mary Wash Day, a $2,000 gift will be unlocked from Lauren Roan-Parks '06.
30 Gift Goal
Starts in
$1,000
Women’s Soccer: 50-Gift Challenge
When Women’s Soccer hits 50 gifts during Mary Wash Day, an anonymous donor will unlock $1,000 in support for the team! Make your gift today to help reach 50 and unlock the challenge.
50 Gift Goal
Starts in
$2,500
Softball 75 Donor Homerun Challenge
Help Softball hit a homerun this Mary Wash Day. When UMW Softball reaches 75 gifts, a $2,500 donation will be released from the bullpen. Every gift counts—make yours today and help us reach 75!
75 Gift Goal
Starts in
$1,500
Power Up UMW Volleyball 55 Gift Challenge
55 gifts activates a $1,500 bonus for UMW Volleyball. Make your gift to Friends of Volleyball to power up and meet the challenge. Challenge sponsored by UMW Volleyball Parents.
55 Gift Goal
Starts in
$2,000
JFMC Challenge
If 70 gifts are made to the James Farmer Multicultural Center during Mary Wash Day, a $2,000 gift from Wendy Huber '87 will be unlocked for the James Farmer Multicultural Center.
70 Gift Goal
Starts in
2
Match
Cedric B. Rucker '81 SOS Fund Match
Lynda S. White '71 will match all gifts to the Cedric B. Rucker '81 Support Our Students (S.O.S.) Fund, an emergency fund to assist students in unexpected times of need. All gifts to the S.O.S. Fund will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000 total.
2
Match
General Scholarship Fund Match
Betty Olander Adams '69 wants to double your impact! Each gift to the General Scholarship Fund will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000. Double your support for access to education!
Leaderboard
Mary Wash Day Gift Leaderboard
Which designation or area will receive the most gifts?
Department (33)
Leaderboard
Mary Wash Day Dollars Raised Leaderboard
Which designation/area will raise the most dollars?
Department (33)
Leaderboard
#TogetherUMW Dollars Raised Leaderboard
When the Mary Wash community bands together, we can do amazing things.
Leaderboard
Athletics Leaderboard
Which athletic team or fund will raise the most dollars?
Fund Designation (22)
Leaderboard
Class Year Gift Total Leaderboard
Which class year will have the most gifts?
Event
#TogetherUMW Art Challenge
Board of Visitors member and former Honor Council President John Anstey ’93 and Kara Matala ’94 are challenging all Mary Wash Day groups to showcase their #TogetherUMW spirit on Instagram. View their Instagram accounts to cast your vote, by liking their post. The three groups with the highest engagement will be posted on the University Instagram (@MaryWash) at noon on March 25. From there, the top group with the most likes will receive an extra $1,000 toward their area.
$10,000
1,010 Gift Challenge
To recognize and honor Troy Paino's 10th year as Mary Washington's 10th president, when 1,010 gifts are made during Mary Wash Day, we will unlock a $10,000 gift from UMW Foundation Board of Trustees Member Vicky Nichols Wilder ’80 and Marty Wilder ’80 to support current and future students. Make a gift to any designation to help unlock this challenge!
1,010 Gift Goal
Starts in
$100,000
2,500 Gift Goal Challenge
When we reach our goal of 2,500 gifts during Mary Wash Day, Diane Harvey Smith '74 will give $100,000 to support scholarships, the Fund for Mary Washington, and faculty/staff development.
2,500 Gift Goal
Starts in
$14,000
200 First-Time Donor Gift Challenge
When 200 gifts are received from first-time donors to UMW, the Alumni Association Board of Directors will unlock a $14,000 gift to the Fund for Mary Washington increasing their impact. Mary Wash community, make your first-ever gift to Mary Washington today and help unlock an extra $14,000 of student support and getting us to the halfway mark of our 400 new-donor gift goal!
200 Gift Goal
Starts in
$100,000
1,200 Alumni Donor Challenge
When we reach 1,200 alumni donors on Mary Wash Day, a long-time Fund for Mary Washington supporter will make a $100,000 gift supporting the Lynne Gourley Farrell '62 Fund for Mary Washington Endowment which underpins the student experience and university priorities. Alumni, this one is for you!
1,200 Donor Goal
Starts in
2
Match
Alumni Board Alumni Match
The Alumni Association Board of Directors wants to double your impact! The Alumni Board will match each alumni gift of $500 or less to the Fund for Mary Washington, up to $20,000 total.
2
Match
Class of 1976 Match
In honor of your 50th Reunion and your class initiative to establish an endowment funding cancer research on campus, Daphne Elliott '76 is matching all gifts during Mary Wash Day to the Class of 1976 Jane Reese Coulbourne ’76 Research Fellowship up to $2,000 total.
$3,500
80s Challenge
When alumni of the '80s (classes of 1980-1989) collectively give $8,100 to the Fund for Mary Washington, we will unlock a $3,500 bonus gift from Framar roommates Lori Foster Turley '81 and Bridget Meaney Weaver '81. Classes of '81 and '86, your gift counts toward your class totals in the Reunion Giving competition in addition to helping unlock this challenge gift!
$8,100 Goal
Starts in
$2,500
2000s Decade Challenge
Classes of 2000-2009, Beth Waters Hunsinger '01 and Rachel Sykes Meyers '01 want to double your impact during Mary Wash Day in honor of their 25th reunion. When we receive 45 gifts to the Fund for Mary Washington from 2000-2009 alumni, Beth and Rachel will unlock a $2,500 gift to the Fund for Mary Washington. Make your gift today to increase your impact and support today's students!
45 Gift Goal
Starts in
$3,800
YAC Young Alumni Gift Challenge
Young Alumni, increase your impact! When we receive 300 gifts from young alumni donors (classes of 2016-2025) to any area, the Young Alumni Council (YAC) will unlock a gift of $3,800 to the Fund for Mary Washington.
300 Gift Goal
Starts in
$4,999
Married Alumni Challenge
When 100 gifts are received from alumni who are married to other alumni, UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Justin ’97 and Allison ’96 Gerbereux will give $5,000 to the Fund for Mary Washington! Married alumni, make your gift to any area to help unlock an extra $5,000 to benefit students!
100 Gift Goal
Starts in
$5,000
Faculty and Staff Gift Challenge
When we receive 250 gifts from faculty and staff members to any area of the University during Mary Wash Day, Katie Turcotte, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement and UMW Foundation Executive Director, will unlock a gift of $5,000 to support students and programs. Faculty and staff, support your area of choice and help unlock an additional $5,000 when you do!
250 Gift Goal
Starts in
$5,000
100-Gift Student Challenge
When 100 gifts are made by Mary Wash students to any area, past Board of Visitors Members Deborah Santiago ’90 and Princess Moss ’83 will give $2,500 each to the Fund for Mary Washington. Students, support your peers, faculty, and programs when you give back during Mary Wash Day!
100 Gift Goal
Starts in
$2,500
5pm Boost Challenge
If we receive 1,010 gifts by 5pm on March 25, Karmel James '13 will unlock a $2,500 gift to the Fund for Mary Washington. Make your gift early to any area to help unlock these bonus funds!
1,010 Gift Goal
Starts in
$3,000
Burning the Midnight Oil Power Hours
Bedtime is approaching, but the Mary Wash Day momentum is still going strong. If we receive 130 gifts between 10 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on March 25, Sylvia McJilton Woodcock ’61 will unlock a gift of $3,000 to the Fund for Mary Washington. Pull out your best late-night study habits and help unlock these bonus funds!
130 Gift Goal
Starts in
Leaderboard
Devil-Goat Challenge Leaderboard
UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Mike Charnoff '95 and Katie Charnoff '04 are taking their Devil-Goat rivalry to a new level. If more Goats (alumni of even class years) make Mary Wash Day gifts than Devils (alumni of odd years), Mike will make a $5,000 gift to the area Katie chooses. If more Devils participate than Goats, Katie will give $5,000 to the area Mike chooses. Watch the Devil-Goat Leaderboard throughout the day to track the competition live!
Event
6 PM to Midnight Ambassador Challenge
Calling all Mary Wash Day Ambassadors! Katie Turcotte, vice president for advancement and alumni engagement and UMW Foundation executive director, and Mike Walsh, vice president for student affairs want to increase your impact. When you get at least 2 others to make a gift using your unique referral link between 6 PM and 11:59 PM on March 25, you will be entered into a drawing to win an additional $250 to an area of your choice! Share your ambassador link and increase your impact when we come #TogetherUMW!
Event
6 AM to Noon Ambassador Challenge
Calling all Mary Wash Day Ambassadors! Katie Turcotte, vice president for advancement and alumni engagement and UMW Foundation executive director, and Mike Walsh, vice president for student affairs want to increase your impact. When you get at least 2 others to make a gift using your unique referral link between 6 am and noon on March 26, you will be entered into a drawing to win an additional $250 to an area of your choice! Share your ambassador link and increase your impact when we come #TogetherUMW!
$1,000
The Eagle Pipe Band Challenge
When 20 gifts are made to the Eagle Pipe Band during Mary Wash Day, an anonymous donor will unlock a $1,000 gift in support of this signature Mary Washington ensemble.
20 Gift Goal
Starts in
2
Match
The UMW Galleries Match
An anonymous donor will match all gifts to Friends of UMW Galleries, dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,000
2
Match
Geography Alumni Scholarship Match
Keith '79 and Ellen Erskine Littlefield '79 will match all gifts to the Geography Alumni Scholarship dollar-for-dollar! To qualify for this match, choose "College of Arts and Sciences" as your Area of Support and "Geography Alumni Scholarship" as your Fund Designation.
$25,000
Historic Preservation Challenge
If the Department of Historic Preservation receives 50 gifts during Mary Wash Day, an anonymous alum will contribute $25,000 to establish a new endowment for experiential learning opportunities for Historic Preservation students.
50 Gift Goal
Starts in
3
Match
Lutterbie Scholarship 2:1 Match
Lucy Lutterbie ’70 will match all gifts 2:1 to the Carlton R. Lutterbie Jr. Scholarship, up to $4,000. For every dollar you give, Lucy will give $2, tripling your impact on students majoring in English! To designate your gift to the scholarship and qualify for this match, choose “College of Arts and Sciences” as your Area of Support and “English-Carlton R. Lutterbie Jr. Scholarship” as your Fund Designation.
$5,000
The UMW Philharmonic Challenge
When 25 gifts are made to the UMW Philharmonic during Mary Wash Day, an anonymous donor will unlock a $5,000 gift.
25 Gift Goal
Starts in
$35,000
College of Education 100-Gift Challenge
When the College of Education receives 100 gifts during Mary Wash Day, Barbara Bishop Mann ’66 will unlock a $35,000 gift to support UMW students completing their student teaching internships.
100 Gift Goal
Starts in
2
Match
Academy of Technology and Innovation (ATI) UMW Match
The Academy of Technology and Innovation PTO wants to double your impact! They will match all gifts, dollar for dollar, up to $1,000, made to the ATI during Mary Wash Day! Double your impact for ATI current and future students today!
$2,000
Great Lives Challenge
When 35 gifts are made to the Great Lives Lecture Series by midnight on Thursday, March 26, a $2,000 gift to Great Lives from an anonymous donor will be unlocked.
35 Gift Goal
Starts in
2
Match
UMW Baseball 1K Match
Anna and Rob Kass will match your gift to Friends of Baseball, dollar for dollar, up to $1,000. Don't delay, double your impact today!
$8,000
Slam Dunk Challenge for Women's Basketball
When Women’s Basketball receives 80 gifts of $80 or more during Mary Wash Day, Linda Lemanski Blakemore '84 and Porter Blakemore will unlock $8,000 for the team.
80 Gift Goal
Starts in
$1,000
UMW Field Hockey 40 Gift Challenge
Stick with UMW Field Hockey on Mary Wash Day! When the team scores 40 gifts, UMW parents will unlock a $1,000 gift for the team!
40 Gift Goal
Starts in
2
Match
Men’s Lacrosse 5K Match
Bryan Eckle ’96 will match all gifts made to Men’s Lacrosse, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000.  Double your impact for Men’s Lacrosse today!
2
Match
Your Gift Counts Twice: Men's Soccer 3K Match
Roy and Terrie Gordon will match every gift to Men’s Soccer, dollar for dollar, up to $3,000. Your support counts twice. Give today to support Men’s Soccer student-athletes.
$1,000
Women’s Soccer: 50-Gift Challenge
When Women’s Soccer hits 50 gifts during Mary Wash Day, an anonymous donor will unlock $1,000 in support for the team! Make your gift today to help reach 50 and unlock the challenge.
50 Gift Goal
Starts in
$1,000
UMW Swimming Make Waves 60 Gift Challenge
Help us make waves for UMW Swimming & Diving: once we reach 60 gifts during Mary Wash Day, Amy Carlson '07 will unlock $1,000. Dive in and help us reach our goal.
60 Gift Goal
Starts in
$2,000
UMW Women's Tennis Ace Challenge
ACE this challenge: 45 gifts unlocks $2,000 from Catherine Copeland for Women’s Tennis. Help serve up an even bigger impact for women's tennis student-athletes!
45 Gift Goal
Starts in
$50,000
Talley Center Challenge
Betty Dobbins Talley '68 is sponsoring a challenge in support of the Talley Center for Counseling Services. If 50 gifts are made to the Talley Center during Mary Wash Day, it will unlock a $50,000 gift in support of this area.
50 Gift Goal
Starts in
2
Match
First Generation Scholarship Match
Trenda Powell Jacocks '82 will match all gifts to the First Generation Scholarship, up to $5,000! Help make the Mary Washington experience possible for first-generation students with your gift today!
2
Match
Gwen Hale Resource Center Match
Help stock the shelves for students facing food insecurity! Ernie and Lynn Ackermann are matching Mary Wash Day gifts to the Gwen Hale Resource Center, dollar for dollar, up to $2,000.
Leaderboard
Mary Wash Day Donor Leaderboard
See which area will bring in the most donors!
Department (33)
Leaderboard
#TogetherUMW Participation Leaderboard
When the Mary Wash community bands together, we can do amazing things.
Leaderboard
Academics Leaderboard
Which College or academic area will raise the most funds?
Fund Designation (48)
Leaderboard
Class Year Total Leaderboard
Which class year will raise the most funds?